Bulb Pot c. 1790

This “Bulb Pot” was made by the Wedgwood Manufactory, known for its Jasperware, a type of stoneware that was perfected in the late 18th century in England. Considered a luxury item, this bulb pot reflects the burgeoning interest in botany and gardening among the British elite. The Neoclassical style, seen in the idealized figures and motifs drawn from Greek and Roman art, speaks to the aesthetic tastes of the time, but also to the political ideologies that saw parallels between the democratic ideals of antiquity and the Enlightenment values of the 18th century. What does it mean to grow and cultivate? What kind of care and attention is needed to make a bulb grow? Wedgwood was deeply invested in both science and art, describing the company’s products as "a blend of art and nature.” This object is more than a decorative piece, it’s also a tangible representation of the cultural and intellectual values of its era.